Commuity service workers cleaning up street corners

Overgrown street corners around town are getting cleaned up by community service workers in an attempt to make hard-to-navigate right-of-ways a little safer for drivers.

Blytheville City Councilman R.L. Jones said after receiving a number of complaints about overgrown street corners, particularly those with street signs, he put community service workers to work on clearing out hazardous spots.

"Some of these right-of-ways were so overgrown that it's just dangerous for drivers," Jones said. "We want to try to prevent wrecks from happening in these ares. There's no sense in someone getting hurt in a wreck when they don't have to."

Jones, who said he is transporting the workers on his own dime, said it's important to keep these areas clear, but many of them get out-of-hand because the area is abandoned or the resident isn't able to keep it up.

The latter rang true for Annie Rainer, who lives at the corner of 16th Street and Stuart Street. Jones said Rainer, who just got out of the hospital, had not been able to keep the stop sign by her house clear and it was becoming a dangerous intersection.

"We went out there, and we cleaned that up for Mrs. Annie because she couldn't do it herself. That's what we're out here to do. It's better to clean it up than to have a wreck happen," said Jones.

Jones said anyone aware of an area needing attention can contact him at 870-762-5532 or the can contact Fred Wright at 870-563-5366.

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com